SINGAPORE – The driver of a multi-purpose vehicle had a mobile phone in one hand while steering her car along the PIE, and did not notice the black motorcycle next to her.
Over the next 100m, she continued using her phone until Senior Staff Sergeant Ihsan Helmi switched on the blinkers and siren on his Traffic Police (TP) BMW motorcycle.
The driver, who was alone in the car, pulled over to the side of the road and was given a summons for using a mobile phone while driving.
It has been illegal for drivers to hold any type of mobile device while driving since the law came into effect in February 2015. First-time offenders can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $1,000. The maximum penalty is double for repeat offenders.
Some motorists display a poor attitude on the roads, said Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan, a patrol leader in the TP’s Special Operations Team (SOT). “They think there’s nobody watching, and that they won’t get caught,” he added.
The TP, in releasing traffic accident figures on Feb 21, said there appeared to be a lack of regard for rules among motorists.
They painted a bleak picture: The number of people killed and injured in traffic accidents hit a five-year high in 2024, with speeding contributing to one in three fatal crashes.
There was also a sharp rise in motorists caught speeding. This was despite increased enforcement efforts, said Senior Assistant Commissioner Daniel Tan, commander of the TP.
SOT officers dress in dark gear, with black helmets and their motorcycles painted black. This is in contrast to other outriders who don white tops, blue trousers and ride white motorcycles.
All TP outriders use the same BMW R1250RT motorcycle, which replaced the less-powerful Yamaha Diversion XJ900P bikes from 2020.
Members of the SOT, an elite group within the TP, perform covert operations and are VIP escorts for local and foreign dignitaries. They also tackle illegal racing, and occasionally find themselves in high-speed chases.
SOT outriders are often able to operate stealthily because their dark motorcycles blend in with the traffic.
The Straits Times tagged along with the elite officers for a behind-the-scenes look, going on patrol during the day on Feb 27 and at night on Feb 28.
The Straits Times Senior Correspondent Zaihan Mohamed Yusof riding with SSS Ihsan Helmi from the Traffic Police at Ubi Avenue 3 on Feb 27, 2025.
Officers in TP’s Special Operations Team dress in dark gear, with black helmets and their motorcycles painted black.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan, 38, said TP officers often catch motorists using mobile phones while driving their vehicles.
He said that in doing so, motorists become unaware of their surroundings, which makes it difficult to adjust to changing road situations.
The father of four said: “Speeding is another unsafe behaviour. It increases the risk of skidding and loss of vehicle control, particularly on rainy days when there is less traction.”
The TP said speeding remains one of the biggest problems, despite motorists being aware of the presence of cameras and police operations.
In total, traffic enforcement cameras caught 100,720 speeding violations in 2024, more than double the number in 2023. More motorists were also caught speeding in police enforcement operations.
On March 2, the 37-year-old driver of a blue Porsche 911 Carrera was killed in a high-speed crash on Nicoll Highway when his car flipped and burst into flames.
Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan said he cannot shake off memories of the first fatal motorcycle accident he attended to, back in 2012. The motorcyclist had changed lanes along the PIE without keeping a proper lookout, collided with a taxi and skidded.
The TP officer said: “Nobody can get used to the accident scenes. Not even after (my) 15 years (of police service). Each fatality is someone’s loved one.”
Slow down
ST tailed Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan on his patrols but kept a distance of two bike lengths.
In most instances, the motorists slowed down or moved to the slower lanes on the expressways after realising a TP officer was observing them.
While on a night patrol on Feb 28 in Jalan Eunos, Senior Staff Sergeant Ihsan received an alert that a motorcyclist in the vicinity was trying to speed away on a de-registered motorcycle.
Two SOT officers immediately turned on their blinkers and sirens, and picked up speed as they made their way to the suspect’s location.
The offender was eventually caught by another team of TP outriders who had been pursuing him.
The Straits Times Senior Correspondent Zaihan Mohamed Yusof riding with SSS Ihsan Helmi from the Traffic Police at Ubi Avenue 3 on Feb 27, 2025.
TP said speeding remains one of the biggest problems, despite motorists being aware of the presence of cameras and police operations. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Over the days, ST observed a number of motorists booked for speeding, road hogging, driving while using a mobile phone, and driving without wearing a seat belt.
Motorcyclists were also hauled up for riding with tinted visors and unapproved motorcycle modifications.
In 2024, 142 people were killed on the roads in Singapore, including 85 motorcyclists and pillion riders.
Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan said motorcyclists often ignore safe riding gear.
“Lacerations and bruises on legs and feet are common for motorcyclists who get into accidents, especially when they do not wear pants and covered footwear while riding,” he added.
When he pulls motorcyclists over, especially new riders, he reminds them of the importance of defensive riding and appropriate gear.
“I urge all motorcyclists to wear a properly fitted approved helmet,” he said. “A helmet serves as the primary line of defence against severe head injuries and can be the difference between life and death in a collision.”
His protective attire as an SOT officer includes gloves, a ventilated riding jacket with spine, arm and shoulder pads, and riding boots.
To be a police outrider, a candidate would have to pass the 270m-long Class 2 Specialised course at the Police Driving Circuit in Admiralty.
On his days off, Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan explores off-road trails in Malaysia on his 300cc, street-legal dirt bike.
“Riding a dirt bike in rugged terrain is very technical and it enhances my balance and control on a motorcycle,” he said.
Due to manpower constraints, the TP said it is unable to deploy officers round the clock on every road.
The Straits Times Senior Correspondent Zaihan Mohamed Yusof riding with SSS Ihsan Helmi from the Traffic Police at Ubi Avenue 3 on Feb 27, 2025.
Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan (right) said his protective attire as an SOT officer includes gloves, a ventilated riding jacket with spine, arm and shoulder pads, and riding boots. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Instead, it conducts enforcement operations using a combination of ground deployment and technology such as enforcement cameras and 3D laser scanners.
These would allow its officers to focus on areas requiring human intervention and engagement.
The TP also encourages members of the public to report traffic violations through the Feedback On Road Users online portal, which would allow them to submit evidence such as video footage of dangerous driving behaviour or other traffic violations.
Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, said he was surprised at the number of motorists caught speeding.
“Motorists who have not been driving for so long due to the Covid-19 pandemic forget there are speed limits (on our roads). It’s like freeing a bird from a cage,” he added.
To combat speeding offences, composition fines for such offences will be increased by between $50 and $150, and demerit points increased by up to six points, from Jan 1, 2026.
More details about the increased penalties for speeding will be announced later in 2025.
At the end of the night patrol, Senior Staff Sgt Ihsan said motorists should stay alert on the roads so they can return home safely to their families.
“Practise defensive riding and wear protective gear,” he said.
“Keep to the road speed limits and remember, your loved ones are waiting for you.”
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times.
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